Tessa

The morning sunlight spilled across her bed in thick, golden stripes, and Tessa blinked awake, disoriented for a moment.

Then it all rushed back.

The celebration at the Bennetts.

The way Graham had almost — almost — said something that felt important.
The way his thumb had lingered against her skin.

She groaned into her pillow.

Was she reading too much into it?
Was it just Graham being… Graham?

Moose yawned loudly from his bed in the corner, stretching until he flopped dramatically onto his side.

Tessa rolled over to look at him.

“Did I hallucinate last night?” she asked him.

Moose sneezed.

“Yeah. Super helpful,” she muttered, tossing back the covers.

There was no way she was going to survive the day without coffee. Maybe even two.

And maybe — just maybe — she’d “casually” swing by the café later.

Just to see if Graham was around.

Just to see if it meant anything.

---

Graham

He was already at the coffee shop.

In fact, he’d been there for an hour, nursing a black coffee and pretending to read financial reports on his tablet.

Lucy, bless her meddling soul, had smirked at him when he walked in.

Miles had muttered something about “simmering grumps” and promptly disappeared into the back.

Graham wasn’t even sure what he was doing.

Waiting?

Hoping?

Making a fool of himself?

Probably all three.

He rubbed a hand over his face, debating if he should just leave — when the bells over the door jingled.

And there she was.

Hair twisted up messily, camera bag slung over one shoulder, oversized sweater slipping off one shoulder.

Tessa Morgan, looking like every good thing he didn’t know he was allowed to want.

She spotted him almost immediately.

Her smile — hesitant, soft — nearly knocked the breath out of his chest.

---

Tessa

She ordered her coffee first, trying to pretend her hands weren’t trembling.

By the time she turned back around, Graham was standing up, moving toward her.

His strides were decisive, purposeful — like he wasn’t going to let this be another almost-moment.

Tessa’s heart thudded wildly as he stopped just a foot in front of her.

He looked serious, more serious than she’d ever seen him outside of his office.

“I need to say something,” he said, voice low and firm.

Tessa nodded, unable to find her voice.

Graham hesitated for half a breath — then barreled forward.

“I like you, Tessa,” he said.
“I don’t just tolerate you. I don’t just find you… convenient.”

He exhaled sharply, like the words had been trapped inside for too long.

“I like you. A lot. And if I’m terrible at showing it sometimes, it’s only because…” He trailed off, brow furrowing. “You’re different. You’re not something I can plan for. You’re… better.”

Tessa stared at him, heart hammering so hard she could barely hear.

Her coffee trembled slightly in her hand.

Graham noticed — and, gently, carefully, took the cup from her and set it on the table behind her.

His hand lingered on hers for a second longer than necessary.

“You don’t have to say anything right now,” he said roughly. “I just needed you to know.”

Tessa let out a shaky breath.

She was supposed to say something calm, something mature.

Instead, what came out was:

“I like you too, you idiot.”

Graham blinked — and then the smallest, softest smile cracked across his face.

Not sarcastic.
Not guarded.

Just… happy.

Warmth bloomed between them, stretching wide and bright and inevitable.

Tessa wasn’t sure who moved first — maybe both of them — but suddenly she was wrapped up in his arms, his chin tucked into her hair, her face pressed against his chest.

And for once, the world wasn’t spinning too fast.

It was just… right.